Manuel Garcia

MANUEL GARCIA

October 4, 1924 – August 2, 2023

Manuel Garcia, 98, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on Tuesday, August 2, 2023. Manuel Garcia was born on October 4, 1924 in Monterrey N.L. Mexico. He started one of his many careers at the age of 13 as a self-taught guitar player, at age of 16 he moved to Mexico City and started his custom tailor career at the family business. Later in life he moved back to Monterey where he met and married the love of his life (Maria Torres Garcia) at age 29. They were married for 59 years and had 4 children. Months later he came to the United States and got his residence and started working in Laredo, Texas at Amede Frost (clothing manufacturer) as a sewing machine mechanic, during that time he kept his passion alive by playing his (requinto) guitar. Which he formulated his Trio Los Mirlos and Trio Los Monarcas all his life. He continued working as a head sewing machine mechanic at Howard B Wolf. Years later he started working at the Coca Cola Bottle Company as a Lead Maintenance fountain drink mechanic. He retired at the age of 65. During his retirement years, Manuel kept his (requinto) guitar playing passion alive by playing at San Luis Church on Sunday Mass, special occasions, and family functions. Manuel Garcia was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, also to his extended family, and friends. Though many of his proudest moments involved those spent with his family. He was so proud of his children, seeing them grow up. Them being responsible, humbling, self-depended & successful brought him gratified joy. He looked forward to Sunday family gatherings and being competitive with his sons by playing dominos. Which he dominated and won most of the time, by changing the “rules”. Our family gatherings will never be the same without “aka”, (Daddy, Papa, Grandpa, El Fregadillo, El Compañero, El Viejon, El Jefe, etc...). He would often travel to Mexico City to visit his 100-year-old brother, Bernardo and extended family. There was never a dull moment with him, at the age of 98 he was still driving to get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and pleasure drives. He enjoyed listening to his music on a daily basis. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from our Dad, during his 98 years, among us! He always held his musician friends at heart, Ramiro Martinez, Rosendo Soto, Arnulfo Molina, Carlos Peña, Samuel Hinojosa, Ruben Rivera, Miguel Salazar, Emmanuel Lopez, Eliu Garcia, Juan Rosales, Antonio “Pepe’ Pinto, Jose “Pepe” Perez, Sacramento Martinez, Sabas Lopez, Jose Isabel Hernandez, Abilio Valladares, Odilio Grajales, Sergio Vela, Hector Morales, Enrique Morales, Hector Ramo, Jesus “Chusgy” Lopez, and Professor Victor Correa.

He was preceded in passing by: his parents, Inez Garcia and Andrea Cruz Garcia; spouse, Maria E. Garcia; grandson, Oscar Garcia, Jr.; siblings, Jesus Garcia, Luis Garcia, Aurora Garcia, Belen Garcia, and Salvador Garcia.

Left to cherish his memory are: his children, Manuel (Lupita) Garcia, Jr., Oscar (Bertha) Garcia, Rogelio (Judy) Garcia, and Maricela (Juan Antonio) Ramos; nine grandchildren, Manuel Garcia, III., Emanuel (Ashley) Garcia, Jesus Garcia, Chelsea Garcia, Noemi Garcia, Roger Garcia, Jr., Amy Garcia, Marisol Ramos, and Cesar Ramos; brother, Bernardo Garcia; five great-grandchildren, Evan Gomez, Victoria Enriquez, Samantha Enriquez, Vanessa Enriquez, and Alex Enriquez; one great-great grandson, Diego Enriquez; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Sunday evening, August 6, 2023 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Monday morning, August 7, 2023 departing at 9 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to San Luis Rey Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Manuel Garcia III., Emanuel Garcia, Manuel Garcia, Jr. Roger Garcia, Jr. Oscar Garcia, and Juan Ramos.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.